INTERVIEW: Knightlife

Melbourne nu-disco artist KNIGHTLIFE came to prominence with his festival hit ‘Crusader’. A few more tracks, some EPs and a boat load of touring ensued, and now with a debut LP right on the horizon we snatched the guy up for a little Q&A.

Are you excited about releasing your debut album next year? How long have you been working on it for?

Yeah I am very excited. I’ve been saying ‘the next thing I’ll do is an album’ for a while now. And it’s finally true. I’ve been working on song ideas for about a year now I think. Things are going well - we’re pulling it all together. It’s going to be a frantic next few months getting it all finished! But that’s fun. A fun kind of madness. Maybe it’ll breed some new weirder stuff.

Over the space of about five years you've released four EPs on the Cutters Records imprint, how did you first meet the boys from Cut Copy?

I was at film school and made this track for a commercial I was working on. We had no money, so there was no hope of licensing something, so I just thought I’d give it a go. I’d been working with samples a bit and generally just playing. The track turned out to be the A-side of my first 12” - which a friend-of-a-friend passed on to the Cut Copy boys. And here we are.

On your latest track release 'Without Love' you collaborated with a mystery female vocalist known as 'AP'. Is there a reason why you decided not to tell the public her full name? How did the collaboration with her come about?

It’s actually Alan Partridge singing on the track. Pitched way up.

Over the years you've supported some great disco artists such as Todd Terje and Bottin. What were they like to meet?

They were cool guys. I remember being very impressed by the tunes they both played - and the mixes they got away with. I think the more risks the better when it comes to DJing. And life.

Todd Terje is one of my favourite producers at the moment. Are you inspired by his music and do you plan on seeing him DJ when he returns to Australia in December? What other artists do you take inspiration from?

The Terje has always been a go-to guy for me production-wise. His stuff sounds so good! ‘Its The Arps’ is a real favourite. Could go down as a classic record, who knows? Todd’s edits are amazing as well. He pretty much single-handedly took the edit scene as far as it could go. I have a deep love for DFA Records. 10 years and not a foot wrong - and we’re still all catching up! I take a lot of inspiration from older records I own as well. Disco - proper disco - is a huge influence. As is early French house. Giorgio Moroder as well. He started it all for me and is probably one of my biggest influences.

On Friday November 23^rd, as apart of Melbourne Music Week, you'll be playing with a great line up of acts including Tim Sweeney from the legendary DFA Records, Teengirl Fantasy, Cut Copy's Ben Browning and Collarbones. Do you feel privileged to be apart of such a special night of music? Which acts performing on the night are you most looking forward to seeing and why?

I’m looking forward to the whole night! It’s going to be wild. I’m keen to see Ben Browning - because I love him and his music and Tim Sweeney (Time Swiney) because he could be the best DJ in the world. I wasn’t cool enough to play on Tim’s show when I was in NYC last. But it’s okay, I still beat him at table tennis. Eat that Swinedog.

The last time I saw you DJ was at Goodgod Small Club in Sydney late last year at one of the awesome Cutters Records parties. From memory, that particular night had a very relaxed and fun filled atmosphere. Which clubs and festivals do you most enjoying playing at?

Clubs with that atmosphere for sure. I don’t want to go to a club or festival and hear music that makes me want to beat people up. I want to go out and dance and have a good time. And of course, hear really great music that makes me want to dance. And not beat people up. Dancing is key here people.

With your first album not far away, do you have any plans for a Knightlife LIVE show? If so, what will it involve?

Yes there are vague plans for a live show. Playing KL tunes live would be a heap of fun. It’d probably be Alan up front - on vocals of course. In between tunes he could reel off one of his hilarious anecdotes, to keep the crowd entertained whilst I hastily re-patch my enormous modular synth. Live vocals, live percussion, a few new and old synthesizers and kick-drums. Yes sir.

Thank you very much for your time and good luck with the release of your record. I can't wait to hear it!

No problemo.

Words by Tony Kingston (check out his street on POSSE.COM) and Luke Letourneau

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